Tasman Makos: News

Brave Makos come up short
28-Sep-2008

John Alexander in Wellington - The Marlborough Express

Wellington retained the Ranfurly Shield 26-20, but for three magic minutes the Tasman Makos rugby team's dream of winning the prized trophy at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday night was within their grasp.

Leading 13-11 with nine minutes to play, Makos halfback and man of the match Kahn Fotuali'i was not only harshly penalised for allegedly slowing down ball at the breakdown, he was yellow carded by referee Matt Stanish, effectively handing the match to Wellington.

Blackadder was scathing in his assessment of Stanish's decision.

"I thought it was harsh. I thought there were discrepancies between their rucks and our rucks. It didn't look like Kahn could get out of it and I didn't actually think that he was intefering with play at all. He was pretty unlucky to get a yellow card for it. The game is built on pivotal moments. That was one of them."

Wellington wasted little time in capitalising on Fotuali'i's misfortune, kicking a penalty to go ahead then running in two late tries and 15 points to cement the win, but the Lions cage had been severely rattled and they and the disappointingly small crowd of around 14,500 heaved a huge sigh of relief when Stanish called full-time.

Blackadder promised his team would not leave Westpac Trust Stadium wondering "what if?" and for most of the match they dominated possession and territory and attacked with enthusiasm and skill against a team which had previously swept all before them with relative ease.

Buoyed by the New Zealand Rugby Union's decision the previous day to offer Tasman a second chance in the Air New Zealand Cup, the Makos walked the walk, playing as if they truly believed they could win.

A Daniel Kirkpatrick penalty in the fifth minute was a rare highlight for Wellington in the first spell and even then, Miah Nikora equalised when Ross Filipo spilled the resulting kicking off.

At one stage the Makos strung 14 phases together and had their opportunities to score. Centre Kade Poki broke through but a poor pass ruined a half chance to Afeleki Pelenise. Fotuali'i's brilliant running had Wellington's defence stretched on several occasions. Twice in the first spell tries almost resulted from his efforts.

Wellington's excursions into Makos territory were rare but they did threaten and bombed two certain tries. First, lock Jeremy Thrush spilled a pass, then, near half-time, winger Buxton Popoali'i put down a sitter with an open line ahead.

Nikora gave the Makos a deserved 6-3 lead at half-time slotting a penalty.

Livewire winger Blair Cook came close to scoring from a kick and chase as the first half ended in frenetic fashion.

Wellington's cavalier approach with the ball changed to a more structured attack up the middle and down the short-side in the second spell and they were rewarded when Piri Weepu, who moved from halfback to first-five, goaled a penalty.

Winger Hosea Gear finally unlocked the Makos defence 17 minutes into the second half, accelerating through a gap with the defence short on numbers.

Mark Bright and Tristan Moran breached Wellington's defence inside the 22 but were held at bay then only a brilliant tackle by Poki stopped Weepu scoring at the other end.

Just when Wellington looked to be building the match-winning try, Fotuali'i smuggled the ball near his own try-line, raced clear but was cut down 60 metres upfield. From a resulting free-kick, Moran charged at the line and when held up just short, Fotuali'i was in support and snaked over. When Andrew Goodman converted and the challengers led 13-11 the dream suddenly looked like becoming a reality until Stanish pulled out the yellow card three minutes later.

Wellington showed their class over the closing minutes and, with a man down, the Makos had no chance. Thrush scored a fine try, Neemia Tialata making the intial burst. No8 Thomas Waldron, who was subbed off but returned when Victor Vito left injured, scored shortly after, sprinting down the touchline with Gear and Tamati Ellison creating the opportunity.

Ahead 26-13, play continued well after the final hooter, both teams searching for a bonus point. The Makosdeservedly achieved that with a brilliant try by replacement first-five James Marshall. Fotuali'i, back on the field by now, popped the crucial pass.

Fotuali'i was brilliant for the Makos, outplaying Weepu until the All Black halfback moved to first-five. Poki ran elusively and Cook had another fine all-round game.

In a gallant forward pack which lost nothing in comparison to Wellington, prop Ben Franks shone out as did tireless flanker Jonathan Poff, number eight Bright and flanker Jack Lam.

Moran and Marshall made significant contributions as second half replacements.

Thrush shone out in the second half for Wellington along with Tialata.

Weepu was more effective at first-five and Gear's speed was always a danger but it was not a flash performance.

The Makos now focus on Saturday's final round-robin clash against Manawatu at Palmerston North, needing a maximum five points to have any chance of making the quarterfinals.